The Center for Auto Safety filed the petition for an investigation by the NHTSA in October. Since the tank was relocated and shielded, there has only been one crash involving a fatal fire, according to the Center for Auto Safety. Then why did the automaker relocate and shield the fuel tank in 2005? This fact strengthens the argument from the Center for Auto Safety. The 1993 – 2004 Jeep Grand Cherokee meets or exceeds all applicable federal safety standards and has an excellent safety record.” The fuel tank is not properly shielded from impact, and the fuel filler neck can be ripped off during an accident and cause a fuel leak, according to the Center for Auto Safety.Ĭhrysler released a statement which read: “Chrysler group is confident that a study which considered all factors in all collisions – including rear collisions with fire – would show that the 1993 – 2004 Jeep Grand Cherokees perform as well as or better than other vehicles in their class.

However, the Center for Auto Safety says that NHTSA files show that between 19 there were 172 Jeep Grand Cherokee crashes involving fires that caused 254 deaths. NHTSA claims that only one death and nine injuries have been related to fuel fires in reported accidents. The Center for Auto Safety, a consumer advocacy group, says that more than 250 people have died in fires in accidents involving the defective fuel tank.Ĭlarence Ditlow, executive director of the Center for Auto Safety Clarence Ditlow signed a petition which reads, “The fuel tank of the Grand Cherokee is plastic and extends below the rear bumper so there is nothing to protect the tank from a direct hit in a rollover or by a vehicle with a low front profile or one lowered by pre-impact braking.” Motor Trend reports that the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) may begin an investigation into a fuel tank defect in 1993 to 2004 Jeep Grand Cherokees.

2004 jeep grand cherokee fuel tank